2003 Corporate Registers Forum conference in Auckland
From 26-28 February 2003 the Ministry of Economic Development (Companies Office) of New Zealand hosted the inaugural Asia Pacific Corporate Registers Forum. The event was held in Auckland with the aim of bringing together corporate registrars from around the globe to discuss current systems and to look at advances in technology.
Delegates included guest speakers Richard Shaw Director General of Corporations Canada , from the UK, Lynn Lynch of Companies House, and from Australia, Jeremy McNeice of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. Representatives from a number of Pacific nations attended, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. From further afield delegates from Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mauritius and Singapore were also in attendance.
The two and a half day programme provided attendees with the opportunity to hear presentations from counterparts in other countries and served to highlight that we are all moving, albeit at different speeds, in the same direction – toward fully electronic registers. Speakers were able to demonstrate how well a fully electronic register can perform. Attendees were able to share their experiences, ideas and gain new knowledge, as well as comparing their legislative and technological developments with those of other attending countries
This inaugural Forum was extremely successful, with all delegates agreeing that the event should be held on an annual basis. Discussions held during the event proved that there is much to be gained from shared experience and it is hoped that the working relationships and plans formed in Auckland will be maintained in years to come.